Interior Design by Expediency

Abstract

This is an account of South African migratory workers who still live an isolated existence in huge single sex hostels, far from their families. It describes the undignified conditions they are forced to confront, and their ongoing battle to express their identity on and around their stark bed spaces. The evidence from South African hostels illustrates how residents have responded with expediency to facilitate bed-based livelihoods, and proclaims the importance of expressing their individuality and personal dignity. These facilities have also proven to be problematic since they are open to manipulation by political parties. The most compelling argument against them is the spread of HIV/AIDS from ‘town wives’ via the men on their return visits to their families in the hinterland. However, high-density inner city accommodation has merit. Hence, if similar institutions are to remain, the lessons outlined in this essay are only a starting point. The impact of design (as well as no design) has far reaching consequences. In contrast to most interior design commissions, where we operate by creating images to coddle the relative wealthy, this is minimalist, functional, intensely personal and expedient strategy to create meaningful environments for the occupants.